Watch Beasts of No Nation

Beasts of No Nation is a gripping war drama which follows the life of a young boy named Agu during the civil war in an unnamed African country. Directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga, the movie premiered in 2015 and stars Abraham Attah as Agu, Emmanuel Affadzi as the Commandant and Ricky Adelayitor as the Dike. The film opens with a happy and carefree Agu who enjoys playing with his friends and looking up to his father who is a teacher. Soon, however, his life takes a dark turn as rebel forces invade his village, killing his father and forcing him to flee into the forest. Agu wanders through the forest for days, struggling to survive on his own, until he is finally captured by a group of militants led by the Commandant.

Agu struggles to adapt to his new surroundings, which are rife with violence, drug abuse and constant danger. The Commandant and his followers treat Agu and the other children soldiers with a mixture of paternalism and cruelty, supplying them with drugs and pushing them into battle as they aim to overthrow the government.

Under the Commandant's guidance, Agu gradually transforms into a soldier, learning to kill without hesitation and endure horrific events such as the brutal execution of civilians. Despite the horrors he witnesses, Agu forms bonds with his fellow soldiers, including the quiet and shy Strika who is always by his side.

As the conflict between the rebels and the government intensifies, Agu becomes more and more disillusioned with the Commandant's methods, even as he continues to follow his orders. The climax of the film sees Agu participating in a raid on a government-held town where he encounters a particular woman that challenges him in finding his moral compass and deciding to leave the is dangerous world he is living, facing with the reality that he has committed atrocities.

Overall, Beasts of No Nation is a harrowing and deeply moving portrait of the horrors of war and the impact it has on those who are forced to endure it. Abraham Attah delivers a powerful and nuanced performance as Agu, capturing the character's vulnerability and strength as he struggles to survive in a world where violence and brutality are a way of life.

The movie is shot with an arresting combination of close-ups and long shots, creating a sense of intimacy with the characters while also depicting the vastness of the African landscape. The musical elements play an important role in capturing the mood and emotions of the story, emphasizing the poignancy of the story's themes.

Beasts of No Nation is not an easy film to watch, but it is a deeply rewarding one, shedding light on the plight of child soldiers and the toll of war on the innocent. Despite its heavy subject matter, the film offers a message of hope and resilience, showing how even in the darkest of circumstances, humanity can still find a way to endure.

Beasts of No Nation is a 2015 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 16 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.7 and a MetaScore of 79.